What are dental implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth placed within your jawbone and they look and function like your real teeth, they are a great alternative to dentures or bridge-work. Many patients are surprised at how straightforward dental implant placement can be and how they experience very little discomfort afterwards. 

If you have teeth missing or you need to replace crooked teeth to acheive a beautiful smile dental implants could be what you are looking for. A Dentist will carry out a comprehensive examination to determine how much bone volume and density is present in the area of the missing tooth, to make sure that it supports a dental implant. They will aslo discuss your medical history. A decision will then be made on the type of dental implant that will suit you and whether a single or multiple tooth replacement is required. 

Dental implant surgery does not require a stay in hospital, they are usually carried out under local anaesthetic. Healing time is required between procedures, when the jawbone and implant get fused. After this, a connector, called an ‘abutment’, is attached to this implant. The artificial tooth is attached on top of this abutment. This provides a permanent tooth that resembles a natural tooth in appearance and function.

If cared for properly, just like your natural teeth, dental implants can last a lifetime, this is subject to pre-existing conditions like gum disease and aftercare. Sometimes, the location of the implant also determines its lifespan. Good oral hygiene is essential to successful healing. Your dentist may encourage you to start cleaning your teeth and healing abutments with a toothbrush straight away, but be careful around the implant sites.